Summer drinks, rugby grading, netball coaching

I'm glad the holidays are nearly here because I need a break!  I almost got myself a job this week but turned it down after Jules and I spent an evening really thinking through the logistics with a renovation under way and both kids potentially going to different schools next year.  

Talking of new schools we had a parent and child information evening at Queenwood which is where Tess will go next year.  After the presentation the Principal came and spoke to us and asked Tess what her first impressions of the school were.  Tess answered "My first impressions are that it's really quite a posh school".  I wished the ground could have swallowed me up!

Hot pink and lime green was our colour scheme this year

On Friday night we had our annual Summer Drinks school fundraiser which I organise with Emma.  It was a fun evening - there was a massive southerly blowing but fortunately Manly Yacht Club is very sheltered.  We raised nearly $6,000 which is a great effort for one quite low-key evening.  

On Saturday morning the kids headed off early to their annual school Band Camp.  This is the first year that I haven't had to stay over and Jules and I were looking forward to a night out on Saturday but we discovered that Tom had rugby grading early on Sunday morning so we were asked to collect him from band camp on the Saturday evening.  To make up for the disappointment of not staying over we went to Ribs & Rumps with the Watts - Tom and Ewan were so exhausted after a day of non-stop saxophone playing that they barely had the energy to eat dessert!  

I spent Sunday at a netball coaching course.  It was a fantastic course but highlighted to me the challenge of coaching netball when I've never actually played it myself.  Fortunately I've teamed up with the team below us and their coach is a fantastic player who still plays so I'm hoping that what I lack in technical knowledge I'll make up for with my organisational skills.  

 The bottom is looking pretty good and shows how dreadful the upstairs is!

Looking along the kids deck

The reno is coming along really well and the ground floor is beginning to look pretty good from the outside.  

Poor Tess got home from band camp on Sunday afternoon and had to spend some time working on this week's project - she's such a diligent worker because she sat down and did it without a word of complaint.  

Our bbq is currently in the carport because of the reno

Meanwhile Tom cooked us all dinner.